CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Former state Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan will keep New Hampshire governor's seat in Democratic control after she beat Republican Ovide Lamontagne, an opponent she said was too extreme for the state.
With Tuesday's win, Hassan is in line to succeed John Lynch, the governor since 2005 who served four two-year terms and is retiring.
Hassan's campaign stressed the need to repair damage done by the Republican Legislature in its last budget, particularly by restoring deep cuts to public colleges and the state's hospitals. She said the way to grow the economy is to invest in education so business has the workforce it needs.
Lamontagne had claimed Hassan was a tax-and-spend liberal who would grow government.
Both Hassan, 54, of Exeter, and Lamontagne, 55, of Manchester, are business attorneys and campaigned on the need to grow the economy and jobs.
Hassan argued education was the key and said she would reverse the $50 million in annual cuts the Legislature made to the University System of New Hampshire in the last budget. She would help pay for the aid by raising the cigarette tax and hiring auditors to ensure businesses pay their taxes. She also would double the state's business research and development tax credit.
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